Heston panned for ‘sexist’ women chefs jibe
HESTON Blumenthal found himself in hot water yesterday after claiming that few top chefs are women because they struggle with “heavy pots and pans” after having children.
The celebrity chef, 53, was accused of sexism after he also said that mothers find working unsociable hours difficult.
The father-of-four made the bizarre comments after being asked why more women are not represented at the highest level of the food industry.
He said in an interview: “I think it depends on a lot of factors, including the culture in the country. I have always employed female chefs, but historically and ultimately, the body clock starts working.
“It’s evolution, and it is one thing to have a nine-to-five job and quite another to be a chef with kids. So, that makes it difficult, the physical strain of lifting heavy pots and pans.”
Blumenthal, who runs the three Michelin-starred The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, provoked a furious backlash on social media yesterday.
One irate commentator wrote: “Thank goodness they can find the strength to lift their children.” Another tweeted: “Ugh. Some men still believe women ‘belong in the kitchen’ but then as soon as they look to make cooking a profession, they are unable to lift the heavy pots and pans.”
Later in the interview, the celebrity chef said that he thinks his industry is much better than it was 15 years ago, when women had to be “tough as old boots” to be successful.
He said: “You had to fight harder. I know a few female chefs who have done very well.”
Of the women battling sexism in the industry now, he said: “Quite frankly, men have asked for this, they’ve brought it on themselves.
“The shock of women standing up for themselves is strong and men get really insecure.”
Blumenthal has three children with his first wife Zanna. The couple split up in 2011 but they did not divorce until 2017, ending their 28-year marriage.
He welcomed his youngest child with French estate agent Stephanie Gouveia last year.
The chef was contacted for comment last night.